Page 10 of Rowdy St. Nick

“I got you a tow down to my friend, Levi’s, shop. We’ll get it fixed up for you quick.”

“Good, I need my car.” I mildly panic not knowing how long I’m going to have to be on foot.

“I know. Do you need a ride?” Lucas asks.

“No, I’m gonna call Allie. She’ll get me to the club.”

“Okay, see you Sunday then. I’ll drop off the car at Mom and Dad’s.”

“Works for me,” I agree.

“Have fun at work!”

“I always do!” I sing-song in return.

I hand the receiver back to the receptionist, and she immediately hands it back to me.

“Didn’t you say you have to call for a ride?”

“Oh, right.”

I queue up Allie’s number in my phone and dial it in. The number keypad is right on the receiver, like one of those retro 90s phones, but beige. Allie answers on the fourth ring.

“The Castle,” she answers in a flat tone.

“Hey Allie, it’s Tess.”

“Oh, hey, are you gonna be able to make it in tonight? How’s your car?”

“Being towed to the auto shop as we speak. And yes, if you can come get me and give me a ride home later. I’ll need a ride in tomorrow too.”

“I can probably do that, sure. Where are you?”

“Lone Star Dude Ranch.”

“Oh, that place down the road a ways from us?” she asks for clarification.

“Does everyone but me know this place is here?”

“Most likely, yeah. It’s pretty popular, especially with tourists.”

“Well, I’m not a tourist.” I have to be careful not to show my annoyance of my displacement through my tone.

“Obviously. Okay I have to finish up some paperwork, and then I can head over. I’m dungeon master tonight, so we both need to be here when it starts to pick up.”

“I’m dressed. I need a few minutes to freshen up and brush the dusty off me. Why are horses so dusty?” I ask like she knows all things horse.

“Horses? What have you been doing?”

“I’ll tell you about it when you get here.”

“Okay I’ll be there in about twenty minutes. You’ll have to freshen up quick and get right out on the floor.”

“I’m good with that,” I confirm.

She hangs up without a goodbye, normal for her. She was kind of frosty with me when I first started at The Castle, but she warmed up eventually and now we’re friends, even though she’s still my boss.

I look around and see that there are tables, a dinner buffet being set up, and a small counter similar to the way a diner is designed. I take a seat there and look around to see if anyone is available. Parker had said they’d get me something to eat, but I don’t want to bother anyone.

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